reprezentativitást

Reprezentativitást, often translated as representativeness, is a key concept in statistics and social sciences. It refers to the degree to which a sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger population from which it was drawn. A representative sample ensures that the findings derived from the sample can be generalized to the population with a reasonable degree of confidence.

Achieving representativeness is crucial for drawing valid conclusions from research. If a sample is not representative, it is considered biased, meaning that certain members of the population are systematically over- or under-represented. This can lead to erroneous interpretations and flawed decision-making. For example, a political poll that only surveys people in a specific age group might not accurately reflect the voting intentions of the entire electorate.

Various sampling methods are employed to enhance representativeness. Random sampling techniques, such as simple random sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling, are designed to give every member of the population an equal or proportional chance of being included in the sample. Non-probability sampling methods, while sometimes more convenient, carry a higher risk of introducing bias and therefore may not yield representative results. The quality of representativeness is often assessed by comparing the demographic characteristics of the sample to those of the known population.